Protecting Your Social Security
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
At Social Security, protecting your personal information is more important than ever. We continue to evaluate and improve our robust cyber-security program to safeguard your information. The thing is, we can’t do it alone. You can help us secure your information by taking one of these steps:
- Open your personal my Social Security account. A my Social Security account is your gateway to many of our online services. Create your account today and take away the risk of someone else trying to create one in your name, even if they obtain your Social Security number.
- If you already have a my Social Security account, but haven’t signed in lately, take a moment to log in. We’ll send a one-time security code to your cell phone or to your email address each time you sign in with your username and password. The security code is part of our enhanced security feature to protect your personal information. Keep in mind that your cell phone provider’s text message and data rates may apply. If you suspect identity theft, report it to our Office of the Inspector General.
- If you know your Social Security information has been compromised, and you don’t want to do business with us online, you can contact us to block any automated telephone and electronic access to your Social Security record. No one, including you, will be able to see or change your personal information on the internet or through our automated telephone service. If you block access to your record and then change your mind in the future, you can contact us and ask us to unblock it after you prove your identity. This resource is available to certain victims of domestic violence or identity theft and those who need extra security.
We will continue to do our part to protect what’s important to you. And we’ll continue to advise you on how to protect yourself.
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Tags: fraud, my Social Security, my Social Security account, Office of the Inspector General, OIG, Social Security benefits
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Angerlia D.
I am a CSRS Offset employee who was erroneously in CSRS and not corrected until after I retired. I retired after age 62. My records were not corrected until 2 years after my retirement. Once my records were corrected, I applied for my age 62 SSA benefit retroactively. SSA told me I could only receive benefits retroactive to 6 months. P.L.106-265 and 5 CFR 839.902(b), states I am to receive credit for all my years under SSA. Why is SSA not making me whole now that they have my corrected earnings? They did not have my earnings until after age 62, so there was no reason to apply. I did not learn of the coverage error until later after retirement so I could not apply at 62.
Vonda V.
Hi Angerlia, thank you for using our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us for assistance. You can call our national toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or you local field office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.
Elizabeth
This topic is very interesting, and I’m interested, but I don’t know where to find it, luckily you are creating this topic. Aspirateur Balai
Michael W.
I received a call from 205-801-1111 with caller ID U S Govt. Social Security on 2/12/2020. I was not at home at the time. There was no message left. I applied for SSI benefits a month ago. Is this a scam call? Thank you.
Ann C.
Hi, Michael. Thanks for checking in with us. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
SCOTT C.
I was trying to log on to My Account when a malware evidently tried to hack in Avast stopped it but now I am locked out for 24 hours from too many attempts to sign in?
I never even got to one attempt; is this normal
Ann C.
Hi, Scott. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Thomas C.
I just turn 71 in October and have been collecting SS when turn 66 and have worked part time untill this year. I’m finding it hard to live on my SS alone, I’ve been deaf since age of 5, I was wondering if I could get some disability added to my SS. I never drawned any disability of any kind in the past, other than when I attended trade school after high school don’t remember program which paid for my training.
Ann C.
Hi, Thomas. We are sorry to hear about your situation. We pay disability benefits to people under their full retirement age who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or end in death. Once people reach full retirement age, we pay them their retirement benefits. You may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. To find out whether you may qualify and if you need to file a separate application call the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY, 1-877-486-2048). You also can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Pamela A.
I need to know if my application was actually processed. It keeps saying I need to complete but there is nothing else showing up. How do I know?
Luis A.
Hi Pamela. For your security, we do not have access to your personal information in this forum. For specific questions about your account, please call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), from Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. You may also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Dennis H.
My sister wants to list me as a beneficiary on her life insurance policy for her retirement, and wants my SSN. I am hesitant to share this information because I do not want my number compromised. Is this a usual requirement?
Luis A.
Hi Dennis. Unfortunately, we do not know what the insurance company requirement may be. Perhaps you should contact the insurance company directly to find out what their requirements are. We hope this helps.
Luis A.
Hi Dennis. We do not know the requirements of the life insurance company that your sister has. You may want to contact the insurance company as ask them your question. We hope this helps.
Linda F.
i feel my social security may have been compromised. i got a free phone from insurance wireless then a few months after receiving the free phone. i got a recorded message saying my social security had been compromised.
thank you
for your help in investigating this matter
**** *************
Luis A.
Hi Linda. Please note that we generally, will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
mark j.
I received a call this morning in regards to my social security and a possible breach of security,can you tell me if there seems to be anything out of the norm?
Eddie M.
Hello, I’m try to find out how do I apply for a credit privacy number or credit profile number?
Lucas V.
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